Artist Review: Eden Fine Day, Things Get Better
Artist: Eden Fine Day
Album: Things Get Better
Genre: Folk Pop
RIYL: Cat Power, Liz Phair, Throwing Muses, Juliana Hatfield
Vancouver-based Eden Fine Day is a bit of a revelation on her first solo album, Things Get Better. Produced by Jesse Gander (Japandroids), the 12 tracks featured on the album bear an intriguing blend of influences, among them Fine Day’s upbringing among the Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan. You may also hear guitar chords that shimmer like the ocean waves from her decade spent in Santa Cruz. Whatever inspirations are at work inside Fine Day’s mind, they make for a gorgeous blend of atmospheric folk rock that is simply stunning.
There is a vintage, almost sweet quality to Fine Day’s vocal presence that belies her sometimes cutting lyrics, and it’s the same quality that makes singers like Cat Power, Tanya Donelly and Juliana Hatfield so effective in delivering a terrifically catchy vocal. What’s remarkably difficult for most artists - to show a full range of artistry and influences - seems easy for Fine Day. And discovering and rediscovering your emotional turmoil shouldn’t sound this good. But it’s incredibly effective in telling the story of the highs and lows we all weave through in our lives, especially in affairs of the heart.
Things start simply enough with “Alone Again” where we find our leading lady a bit broken and reeling. Alone again. But it’s about the time that “Damaged” kicks in that Fine Day starts to find her footing, and our emotional journey with her really begins. “Up North” is another strong track, a stripped-down and deft vocal performance that’s fueled with raw emotion and longing. “The Light” is a melodic, anthemic track that hangs in the air and fills up all the corners of the room with lush vocals and guitars. “Oh, Boy!” explores Fine Day’s edgier, rock-heavy side with a power pop drive and uber-catchy melody.
“Parent-Teacher Day” is one track that doesn’t shy away from Fine Day’s upbringing as a third generation survivor of the Indian Residential School legacy, and it’s a unique and approachable way to represent this time in her life. There is an emotional resonance here, however, that will strike a chord with anyone who has been an outsider. “Things Get Better” closes the record, and it’s a song that definitely leaves its listeners wanting more. A classic storytelling style that recounts Fine Day’s very personal journey over the last decade, and one that trades desperate and uncertain for a future that’s hopeful. It’s a powerful note to end on, a transformative moment that Fine Day shares with the world.
With Things Get Better, Eden Fine Day delivers a confessional that plays with the intimate, bittersweet, and poignant secrets of the heart. Her lyrics are heartfelt and honest, and the musical arrangements push forward with a sense of urgency and fall back with a wail of retreat, whatever’s necessary to paint the full picture that Fine Day wants us to see and hear. This is a musical gift to unwrap - layer by layer, track by track - one that warms the soul and preserves memories. What a gorgeous, intimate and lovely gift we’ve all been given.
Eden Fine Day on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenfinedaymusic
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_eden_fine_day_things_get_better)
Album: Things Get Better
Genre: Folk Pop
RIYL: Cat Power, Liz Phair, Throwing Muses, Juliana Hatfield
Vancouver-based Eden Fine Day is a bit of a revelation on her first solo album, Things Get Better. Produced by Jesse Gander (Japandroids), the 12 tracks featured on the album bear an intriguing blend of influences, among them Fine Day’s upbringing among the Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan. You may also hear guitar chords that shimmer like the ocean waves from her decade spent in Santa Cruz. Whatever inspirations are at work inside Fine Day’s mind, they make for a gorgeous blend of atmospheric folk rock that is simply stunning.
There is a vintage, almost sweet quality to Fine Day’s vocal presence that belies her sometimes cutting lyrics, and it’s the same quality that makes singers like Cat Power, Tanya Donelly and Juliana Hatfield so effective in delivering a terrifically catchy vocal. What’s remarkably difficult for most artists - to show a full range of artistry and influences - seems easy for Fine Day. And discovering and rediscovering your emotional turmoil shouldn’t sound this good. But it’s incredibly effective in telling the story of the highs and lows we all weave through in our lives, especially in affairs of the heart.
Things start simply enough with “Alone Again” where we find our leading lady a bit broken and reeling. Alone again. But it’s about the time that “Damaged” kicks in that Fine Day starts to find her footing, and our emotional journey with her really begins. “Up North” is another strong track, a stripped-down and deft vocal performance that’s fueled with raw emotion and longing. “The Light” is a melodic, anthemic track that hangs in the air and fills up all the corners of the room with lush vocals and guitars. “Oh, Boy!” explores Fine Day’s edgier, rock-heavy side with a power pop drive and uber-catchy melody.
“Parent-Teacher Day” is one track that doesn’t shy away from Fine Day’s upbringing as a third generation survivor of the Indian Residential School legacy, and it’s a unique and approachable way to represent this time in her life. There is an emotional resonance here, however, that will strike a chord with anyone who has been an outsider. “Things Get Better” closes the record, and it’s a song that definitely leaves its listeners wanting more. A classic storytelling style that recounts Fine Day’s very personal journey over the last decade, and one that trades desperate and uncertain for a future that’s hopeful. It’s a powerful note to end on, a transformative moment that Fine Day shares with the world.
With Things Get Better, Eden Fine Day delivers a confessional that plays with the intimate, bittersweet, and poignant secrets of the heart. Her lyrics are heartfelt and honest, and the musical arrangements push forward with a sense of urgency and fall back with a wail of retreat, whatever’s necessary to paint the full picture that Fine Day wants us to see and hear. This is a musical gift to unwrap - layer by layer, track by track - one that warms the soul and preserves memories. What a gorgeous, intimate and lovely gift we’ve all been given.
Eden Fine Day on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenfinedaymusic
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_eden_fine_day_things_get_better)
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